Asbestos Testing Services

Huntington Beach, California, April 16, 2024

In March, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule to prohibit ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos. Chrysotile asbestos is the only form of asbestos known to be imported, processed or distributed for use in the United States in recent years, according to the agency.

This form of asbestos can be found in various products, including asbestos diaphragms, sheet gaskets, brake blocks, aftermarket automotive brakes/linings, other vehicle friction products, and other gaskets. It has already been banned in over 50 countries.

“The ban on ongoing uses is the first rule to be finalized under the 2016 amendments to the nation’s chemical safety law, the Toxic Substances Control Act,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “This is good news for California residents as exposure to asbestos is known to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, ovarian cancer and laryngeal cancer. Across the entire country, asbestos exposure is linked to more than 40,000 deaths each year.”

EPA has set compliance deadlines to transition away from each use of chrysotile asbestos, which are as soon as is practicable for each use while also providing a reasonable transition period. Unfortunately, the decades of past asbestos use, in thousands of products and building materials, means there are still exposure risks in many homes, schools and businesses.

To help safeguard building occupants and workers, LA Testing offers environmental, industrial hygiene and material testing services for asbestos and many other regulated substances. Their California laboratories also provide sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments and a comprehensive range of personal protective equipment.

To learn more about asbestos or other testing resources, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. For access to asbestos test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.  

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.